Formula 240 Bowrider Sport

By Capt. Rob Smith

Formula knows there are some out in the market that want to enjoy the value, features and noted ride that Formula has been known for. For those that have longed to enjoy it but found it just a bit out of financial reach, Formula has a new option! The 240 Bowrider Sport is built with every bit of care, quality, top-shelf materials and seasoned labor pool as any other model coming off the ramps at Formula. To help you move into the Formula lifestyle, they took the 240 which I tested in Sanibel, Florida earlier this year and modified the standards/options list. By narrowing the choices and taking some of the features that really didn’t have to be part of the design, such as a wet bar, they produced the Sport.

The 240 BR is now the start of the formidable line of high-end craft from Formula. Before any discounts, incentives or other reductions, the 240 BR Sport I reviewed had a base price of just over $85,000. When the few key options available are added, you can add about $6,000 to the package. To those who are not familiar with Formula, I am sure you are snickering at my suggestion of a more affordable Formula at this price, but anyone who knows Formula will be taken aback by this “entry level” price. This model has been designed by the same exclusive designer responsible for the other Formula models, John Adams. The 240 BR Sport has the same striking lines and is designed to take advantage of the same performance characteristics as her sisters. Formula’s lamination schedule, materials and hardware are the same. Formula still offers the five-year Formula Guard Protection Plan, 10-year structural warranty and NMMA Certification. In other words, it is solidly the same as any other Formula and backed by the same protection.

At the Bow

The bow seating consists of two benches and a step pad with filler cushion. I sat comfortably on the starboard side and could easily have my wife or daughter join me on the port side. With my legs up on the seats, at six feet, I had to stretch over the other side a bit but neither my wife or daughter are six feet tall, so we could be there and both have our feet up. The upholstery is weather-resistant seating with PreFixx coating and DriFast foam and StarLite XL synthetic marine panel construction which will last for years and still look great. It is easy to clean up and will stand up well to the UV we all soak up in the summer time. Formula installs six 316L stainless steel custom forged cleats where most builders will save by only having two cleats at the stern and bow or even going to a single bow cleat/anchor cleat up front with two stern cleats. Formula knows it takes six to properly tie a boat up at the docks. In the bow, you have an anchor locker where you can opt for adding a beach boarding ladder if you are regularly beaching your boat and enjoying an island get-away. The table, if you have one, has dedicated storage under the starboard seat up front.

The windshield is a tempered, tinted curved glass windshield with well braced center walkthrough. I did several dead lifts on the open windshield to test the braces and didn’t hear any flexing or creaking noises.

In the Cockpit

Moving into the cockpit, the 240 BR Sport has a port side storage locker with curved door. The door opens nice and wide. If you have shy little ones on board, you can add a Porta-potti in here, but it will be tight for adults to use for changing into and out of a swim suit, especially if you are my size (6’, 235 lbs). The hatch for the helm storage compartment conveniently provides an air dam when running in cool air. Over on the helm, I found the visibility good and the seats very comfortable. The dash panel is either wood, brushed graphite, or brushed metallic finish. Instrumentation is all Livorsi illuminated instruments with a Ritchie compass in the center at the top and a digital depth gauge. The stereo on my test model had the Kenwood Commander remote to the left of the Dino tilt sport wheel and the stereo mounted inside the helm storage compartment. There is also an iPod/MP3 jack so you can add your own mix of tunes to calm the soul or get your heart thumping with music piped through four 150 W speakers which are marine grade 6 ½ inches.

Most people using a 24’ bowrider are more interested in having more seating than a small wet bar, so Formula replaced it with another small bench seat on the 240 BR Sport. The L-shaped aft lounge has a 36 quart Igloo cooler tucked into a dedicated space under the stern bench seat. It seems like everyone can have two drinks as Formula has 13 stainless steel drink holders throughout the deck plan of the 240 BR Sport. The continuous molded cockpit liner has anti-skid surfaces and you can add cockpit carpet as an option. The sole locker is plenty large enough to stow boards and skis along with the stern light and a paddle.

Sunpad, Engine and Swim Platform

The large sunpad converts to Formula’s own design for an aft-facing sun lounge. Pull one pin, flip the headrest back and you have a big sunpad. When you are performing routine maintenance on the engine or just your daily checks, you will appreciate the access. The backrest for the L-bench stern section pivots down making it even more open access to the power plant. You can choose from three MerCruiser engines or three Volvo Penta engines, or you can pick the optional MerCruiser California Compliant package.

The transom walkthrough is on the starboard side and is wide enough to safely get from the extended swim platform into the cockpit. Along with the flotation of this model you can get back and forth without the need for ballerina reflexes. The extended swim platform is integrated and large enough to relax with your feet in the water or work with wake boards or skis before getting on the end of the tow rope. The ski/wakeboard swivel-head rope mount is standard. You can keep some lines, small fenders or wet gear in the transom trunk storage.

Stats

Formula 240 BR Sport measures 24’0” length overall and has a maximum beam of 8’6”. At approximately 5,000 lbs. dry weight, you will find many family vehicles capable of towing her. Fuel capacity is 60 gallons and she can carry 10 gallons of fresh water. Draft measures approximately 36” and bridge clearance approximately 4’8”. The 240 BR Sport has a sporty 20 degree deadrise.

Conclusion

Formula is highly regarded as a premium designer/builder in the boating industry. For the hull Formula uses Imron paints, a polyurethane DuPont product that is technically difficult to apply, rather than decals and tinted gel coat. This ensures that your hull will hold its luster and looks for years. Formula uses a Perma Panel structural hull matrix and foam filled hull cavities adding flotation and stability. The hull to deck joint is chemically bonded together and bolted together. Today’s base price that starts at $82,900 with a Volvo Penta 5.0 GXi DP which means you can be enjoying the Formula Lifestyle sooner than you thought. Based on years of experience testing and driving Formula boats, I am certain this 240 Bowrider Sport is just as nimble in performance and just as comfortable in ride as any other Formula bowrider offered.

Formula 240 Bowrider Sport (2009-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Systems
CD Stereo
Head: Portable
Trim Tabs
Exterior Features
Carpet: Cockpit
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Ladder
Swim Platform
Transom Shower
Canvas
Bimini Top
Cockpit Cover

= Standard = Optional